Stop NOAA Closures Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it temporarily freezes any decisions to shut down, combine, or restrict access to facilities operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA is crucial for everything from daily weather forecasts and hurricane tracking to managing fisheries and studying climate change. By pausing these potential changes, the bill aims to prevent abrupt disruptions to these vital services and the jobs associated with them.

If this bill becomes law, it ensures that NOAA's current infrastructure remains stable for several years, giving Congress time to review and understand the potential impacts of any future closures. If it doesn't become law, the agencies could proceed with closures or consolidations of NOAA facilities without being required to provide advanced, detailed justifications to Congress, potentially leading to quicker or less scrutinized changes in how NOAA operates and delivers its services.

KEY PROVISIONS

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Imposes an immediate, temporary ban on closing, suspending, ending leases, stopping construction, consolidating, or limiting access to NOAA facilities.

This provision ensures that NOAA's physical infrastructure remains stable for a set period, preventing immediate disruptions to its operations and services.

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The moratorium includes an exception for emergencies that pose an immediate threat to the health or safety of NOAA personnel.

This allows for necessary temporary actions to protect staff during critical situations without violating the moratorium.

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Requires a joint report to Congress by the Secretary of Commerce, NOAA Administrator, and GSA Administrator, due no earlier than January 21, 2029, outlining and justifying any potential future facility changes.

This ensures congressional oversight and transparency regarding any long-term plans for NOAA facilities and provides a structured process for evaluating future changes.

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After the moratorium ends, any future decision to close, suspend, or limit access to a NOAA facility requires a 30-day advance report to Congress with justification and cost-benefit analysis.

This establishes a permanent requirement for transparency and justification for major facility changes, even after the temporary ban is lifted.

DEADLINES & DATES

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180 days after the report in (a)(4) is submitted

Moratorium ceases to be effective 180 days after the required report is submitted to Congress.

Not earlier than January 21, 2029

Report outlining and justifying the process for selecting any facility for closure, suspension, etc., to be submitted to Congress.

Not later than 30 days before the action

For future actions after the moratorium, a report must be submitted to Congress 30 days before any closure, suspension, termination of lease, etc.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Moratorium: A temporary ban or halt on a particular activity, in this case, on changes to NOAA facilities.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): A U.S. government agency that focuses on the conditions of the oceans, major waterways, and the atmosphere, providing services like weather forecasting and climate research.
Facility: A building, land, or equipment used for a particular purpose; in this context, a physical location where NOAA conducts its operations.
Consolidate: To combine multiple things into a single, more effective whole, such as merging several facilities into one.
Administrator of General Services: The head of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), which manages federal property and provides supplies and services to U.S. government agencies, including managing federal buildings.
Secretary of Commerce: The head of the U.S. Department of Commerce, which oversees agencies like NOAA and is responsible for promoting economic growth and opportunity.
Cost-benefit analysis: A process of weighing the total expected costs of a project or decision against the total expected benefits to help make informed choices.

ACTION TIMELINE

3 EVENTS

JUL 18, 25

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

COMMITTEE

JUL 17, 25

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

JUL 17, 25

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

INTROREFERRAL

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Science, Space, and Technology CommitteeReferred

Jul 17, 2025

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Stop NOAA Closures Act

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Stop NOAA Closures Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

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Discussion

Stop NOAA Closures Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

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